Wales’ Solar Mandate
From March 2027, Wales will require renewable electricity generation in every new‑build home - effectively making solar the go‑to choice for developers. Published: March 17, 2026
Transform Your Existing Home
Imagine living in a home where your energy bills are drastically reduced, your carbon footprint is lower, and your property stays comfortable all year round. With Octopus Energy’s Zero Bills Homes, powered by solar panels, a home battery, and a heat pump, this is possible for existing homes across Wales and England. At Smart Energy Homes, we specialise in retrofitting older properties to deliver high-performance energy solutions, helping homeowners and landlords save money, live sustainably, and future-proof their homes.
Unlike new builds, a retrofit allows you to upgrade your current property without moving. Even traditional stone homes, Victorian terraces, or post-war builds can benefit from a carefully designed Zero Bills Home system. By combining renewable energy generation, efficient storage, and low-carbon heating, your home becomes smarter, greener, and more cost-effective.
How Zero Bills Homes Works
The system combines three core technologies to dramatically cut household energy costs:
1. Solar Panels
Solar panels on your roof capture sunlight and turn it into electricity for your home. This clean energy powers your appliances, lighting, and heating first, reducing how much electricity you need from the grid — lowering your bills and your carbon footprint.
2. Battery Storage
Not all the energy your solar panels produce is used right away. A home battery stores the extra so you can use it later, like in the evening or at night. This helps you maximise your solar energy, save more, and rely less on the grid.
3. Heat Pump
A heat pump is a highly efficient system that heats your home and hot water using electricity. It captures heat from the air (or ground) and delivers it using far less energy than traditional boilers. When combined with solar panels and a battery, it keeps your home warm while minimising grid energy use.
Together, these three technologies create a self-reinforcing system: solar generates clean electricity, the battery stores it for later use, and the heat pump heats your home efficiently. The combination can dramatically lower your energy bills, sometimes approaching zero, while reducing your household carbon emissions.
Benefits of a Zero Bills Home Retrofit
A Zero Bills retrofit provides multiple benefits for homeowners and landlords:
Slash Your Energy Bills: By generating and storing your own electricity, you buy less from the grid, dramatically reducing your monthly costs.
Lower Carbon Footprint: Solar energy and heat pumps are renewable and low-carbon, helping your home become more environmentally friendly.
Year-Round Comfort: Improved heating efficiency ensures your home stays warm in winter and provides reliable hot water, without spikes in energy bills.
Future-Proof Your Home: Energy prices are unpredictable. A Zero Bills Home retrofit protects you from rising energy costs while increasing property value.
No Need to Move: You can upgrade your existing home, even older or traditional properties, rather than building new, achieving modern energy standards without relocation.
Smart Energy Management: Solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps work together intelligently, optimising energy usage to maximise savings.
Who Can Benefit
Smart Energy Homes retrofits are suitable for a wide range of properties and owners across Wales and England. We work with:
-
Homeowners looking to reduce energy bills and improve comfort
-
Landlords seeking better EPC ratings and lower tenant energy costs
-
Housing providers modernising older properties
-
Property developers retrofitting existing stock for high-performance living
Our bespoke approach ensures every home is assessed individually. We consider building type, location, roof space, and current energy use to design the most effective system for your property.
WHY SMART ENERGY HOMES?
Award Winning Team: Smart Energy Homes were named Wales’ Fastest Growing Firm and UK’s Fastest Growing Green Firm.
UK’s First Cosy Heat Pump Installer: We were the first company to be selected to install Octopus Energy’s Cosy Heat Pump.
Expertise Across Wales & England: Our teams understand regional housing types, climate conditions, and installation requirements.
Bespoke Retrofitting Solutions: No “one-size-fits-all” packages. Every property gets a tailored plan to maximise energy savings.
End-to-End Service: From survey and design to installation and ongoing support, we manage every step.
Focus on Quality & Compliance: All installations meet the highest standards and relevant UK building regulations.
Long-Term Savings: Our solutions are designed to deliver measurable reductions in energy bills over many years.
THE PROCESS
1) Consultation:
We begin with a detailed survey of your home to understand your energy use, roof suitability, and heating requirements.
2) System Design:
Based on the assessment, we design a customised system combining solar panels, battery storage, and a heat pump tailored to your home and lifestyle.
3) Installation:
Our certified installers carry out the retrofit with minimal disruption, ensuring everything is fitted correctly and efficiently.
4) Commissioning & Handover:
Once installed, we test and optimise the system, explain how it works, and provide guidance on maximising your savings.
5) Ongoing Support:
Smart Energy Homes remains available for maintenance, monitoring, and advice to ensure long-term performance.
AREAS WE COVER
Wales – covering all regions including South Wales, Mid Wales, North Wales, and West Wales.
South West England – including the Bristol & Bath area, Gloucestershire & The Cotswolds, Somerset & Taunton, and Wiltshire & Swindon.
Wider West & Midlands – reaching parts of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and surrounding areas.
Upgrade Your Home Today
Energy costs are rising, and homeowners and landlords need solutions that save money and reduce carbon emissions. Octopus Energy’s Zero Bills Homes offers a simple, high-impact retrofit solution that delivers measurable benefits without requiring a new build.
Whether your property is a traditional stone house in Wales, a Victorian terrace in England, or a modern build, our team can design a Zero Bills Home system that fits your home, lifestyle, and budget.
Take the first step toward a greener, more efficient home. Contact Smart Energy Homes today to book your consultation and start your Zero Bills Home retrofit journey.
GET IN TOUCH
QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST
Octopus Zero Bills Homes with Smart Energy Homes
Octopus Energy has launched a mission to build 100,000 “Zero Bills” homes by 2030, where houses equipped with solar panels, batteries and heat pumps generate and store their own clean energy so residents pay zero home energy bills for at least five to ten years. Published: February 26, 2026
Boiler Pressure Explained
Boiler pressure plays a key role in keeping your heating system running safely and efficiently. Learn what it should be and how to fix common pressure issues. Published: January 27, 2026
Boiler Replacement: Guide for Homeowners
Old or unreliable boiler? Discover when it’s time to replace it and how a modern system can improve efficiency and comfort. Published: January 27, 2026
Boiler Installation Costs & Ways to Pay
Discover how much a new boiler costs and explore flexible payment options to suit your budget, including monthly finance plans. Published: January 27, 2026
Solar Panels & Heat Pumps in 2026: A Guide to a Smarter Home
Thinking about solar panels or heat pumps? This complete 2026 guide from Smart Energy Homes explores how renewable energy systems, battery storage, and energy-efficient heating work together to reduce costs and carbon emissions. Published: December 10, 2025